A CATALOGUE of errors cost Crusaders dearly against Hull KR last weekend and prop Mark Bryant admits his side must cut out their mistakes when they take on Super League leaders Wigan on Saturday.

Warriors travel to the Racecourse with just two defeats from their 14 league outings so far this season and enjoy a four point cushion at the top of the standings.

And Australian Bryant is adamant Crusaders must cut out their error count if they are to have any chance of making an impact against a red-hot Warriors.

Crusaders crashed to a 54-10 hammering on Sunday at New Craven Park at the hands of Hull KR, a defeat which followed their Challenge Cup fifth round exit seven days earlier when they lost 35-34 at home against Catalans Dragons.

Sunday’s showing was easily Crusaders’ worst so far of the season, with the number of mistakes and penalties conceded far too high for Bryant’s liking.

“Hull had a point to prove and unfortunately we made too many errors and gave away too many penalties,” he said.

“They proved very costly against a team who were under pressure to win, we made mistakes at key points of the game and we paid for it.

“We also didn’t take out chances at crucial points of the game. We could have pulled them back to 18-10 but obviously we had a forward pass go against us at a crucial part if the game.

“I think that could have changed the game for us but in saying that we still leaked too many points. They were on fire and we didn’t match them which was really disappointing form our perspective.”

Head coach Brian Noble rued his side’s missed opportunities and felt his side paid the price for some poor execution throughout. With the scores set at 18-4, stand-off Michael Witt spurned the chance of a try under the posts and the North Wales side quickly found themselves 30-4 down.

“Brian was obviously very disappointed,” added Bryant. “We were maybe unlucky not to come away with the win against Catalans and we trained well all week, but unfortunately we just never got going against Hull KR.

“There were some discipline issues along with drop balls and they really put some pressure on us.

“There was a big score at half-time but we thought we could get ourselves back in the game. But we probably made more mistakes in the second half than we did in the first. We are disappointed but now we move forward, that game is gone now and we look forward to the Wigan game.”

And it doesn’t get any easier for the Wrexham franchise with Noble’s former club revitalised under Michael Maguire and looking real challengers to Leeds Rhinos’ title.

The two sides met earlier this season, with the Warriors winning 38-6 at the DW Stadium in February. However, Crusaders have recruited several more players since then and the Cherry and Whites can expect a tougher challenge at the Racecourse this weekend.

Bryant added: “I remember they were red-hot that evening. They have been in great form this year and that’s why they are sitting pretty at the top of the ladder.

“I know their coach Michael Maguire and the way he goes about things and I know those guys are going to be looking for another big win this Saturday.

“It doesn’t get any easier and we are going to have to knuckle down in training this week, get things together and play as a team.

“Michael Maguire made his name at Melbourne and I have known ‘Madge’ since my junior days at Canberra Raiders. He is well respected back home and he has definitely got this Wigan team well-organised and playing well.”